Gouging investigation now at 150

ATLANTA (AP) _ Nearly 150 Georgia gas stations are having to defend why they charged inflated prices after Hurricanes Gustav and Ike made fuel scarce over the last month.

The state has subpoenaed sales records from businesses following complaints from 1,500 customers angry over what they were paying at the pump. Bill Cloud, spokesman for the Governor's Office of Consumer Affairs, says his office is still getting a few dozen calls a day about gas prices.

According to AAA, the average price for a gallon of unleaded regular gas in Georgia was $3.72 on Wednesday, up a more than $1 from this time last year. The national average was $3.45 on Wednesday.

Georgia's gas average hit an all-time high Sept. 15 at $4.16 per gallon.